Jelly Roll has been granted clemency for crimes he committed over two decades ago.
Singer Jason DeFord, known for his song “Son of a Sinner,” was among the 33 people granted a pardon by Tennessee Governor Bill Lee on December 18th, according to MS NOW.
Lee announced that he is granting clemency to 33 people after carefully considering each of their cases. He noted that every situation was different and deserved review, and he expressed gratitude for the Parole Board’s careful recommendations.
In particularly, the governor felt Jelly Roll, 41, is a “man who should get a pardon.”
Jelly Roll’s life story is truly inspiring – a powerful tale of overcoming adversity – and it clearly demonstrated he deserved a pardon, he explained to reporters, according to the Nashville Tennessean.
Jelly Roll says he was arrested around 40 times as a teenager and young adult due to drug-related crimes. His biggest legal issue was an aggravated robbery charge, which led to more than a year in prison and seven years on probation.
He told Billboard in 2023 that he’d never forget how terrible the crime was. He described it as a grown man reflecting on a terrible decision made by a 16-year-old, one that could have easily caused harm. Thankfully, he added, no one was actually hurt.
He explained that he was treated as an adult in the legal system long before he was old enough to do everyday things like buy alcohol, rent an apartment, or even purchase cigarettes.
Jelly Roll’s life changed when his daughter, Bailee, was born in 2008. At the time, he was in jail, and Bailee’s mother is his ex-partner, Felicia Beckwith.
He described a life-changing moment, comparing it to the biblical story of Saul’s conversion on the road to Damascus. During an appearance on The Joe Rogan Experience in 2023, he said he instantly knew he needed to make a change. ‘I had to stop what I was doing and figure things out,’ he explained.
Honestly, learning about Jelly’s journey just makes me love him even more! It’s incredible to me that he actually found his calling – songwriting – while he was in prison. Can you believe that? And since getting out, and especially since marrying his amazing wife, Bunnie Xo, back in 2016, he’s been so open about his struggles and uses his voice to help others with mental health and addiction. It’s just… inspiring, you know? He’s not just a musician; he’s a genuinely good person.
He has also shown regret for his previous offenses, and mentioned he’s considered contacting the robbery victims to offer a personal apology.
Jelly Roll, who sought a pardon for his past crimes last year, recently explained on the 2024 podcast On Purpose that he never had the right to take anything from anyone. He realized his previous sense of entitlement – the belief that the world owed him something – led him to feel justified in taking from others. He described this as a deeply flawed and harmful way to view life, people, and the world around him.
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2025-12-19 00:17